Ellie Goulding

The British pop artist Ellie Goulding became known in the U.S. first for singing at Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding, then for dating Skrillex and rocking the same half-shaved hairdo as him, and then, finally, for her music. Her pulsating dance single "Lights" became a smash hit a year after it was released and brought more attention to her solid 2010 debut album of the same name. Lights' follow-up, last year's Halcyon, is a darker and dubbier album; while it's performed well commercially and has spawned a minor radio hit, the dreamy, downtempo "Anything Could Happen," it doesn't match the bright energy of her debut. Goulding is precociously talented musician blessed with a unique and interesting voice; her next step is getting back to writing songs that allow her sublime vocals and her breezy youth to shine forward. With St. Lucia. ERIN K. THOMPSON